Hello all in the 400 Section - My Introduction

[Joseph Martin]

Hello all,

I've been a forum member over the past five years or so, and a Volvo fan all my life. I've noticed that the 400 series section is always rather quiet, therefore I hope to help try and change this! So here's my 'hello'.
Some may see it somewhat strange for a 23 year old to be into Volvos, many more would see it even stranger for a 23 year old to own one. But most would find it incomprehensible for one to have a fascination for one in particular - the 400 series. Namely, the 440.

As a result of my dad owning several Volvos over the years, my interest in the marque had developed and grew ever more over the years. From him starting off with a 340GL in 1996, through a 460Si and subsequently a 440LE and then S40 and now V40, the 'smaller' Volvos have always been a part of my growing up. One in particular has always been a favourite of mine - the 440.
I've always loved the style in particular, resembling the popular eighties shape of hatchback. With these a regular sight on a daily basis, a number which has now rapidly dwindled.

As stated, I'm a Volvo owner and have been for a few years now. With my first car being a VW Polo (which I still have over six years later), I promised myself a Volvo when I could afford one. I eventually found one near Glasgow - an N registration 440 Si with only 23,000 miles from new. The pictures looked quite scabby though, and the seller wanted what I felt was too much at almost £700. So I bought an X reg S40 1.6 instead. A car I still own, albeit off the road for two years.

Next came my 850 T-5, a car I placed a bid on on eBay and won, and still have. My 440 I bought completely by chance, from this forum.
I was sitting one night on the laptop, supposed to be completing coursework for uni. Googling 'Volvo 440 for sale' came up with usual old or dead links, until I found one posted on the forum by 'IanF', with a 'last post' date from the previous day. The full story is here:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=220381

The story goes that a 440 GLT was listed for sale, and was to be scrapped on Monday should a buyer not be found (Advert was viewed on Thursday). Even better, the car was within a forty mile distance to myself! I dropped Ian a message, and arranged to pick the car up on the Saturday. I was about to get my 440, and save one from the crusher at the same time. I was thrilled.

I travelled up to collect the car with my brother and a friend, an enjoyable day out was had travelling up to Inverkeithing in beautiful summer sunshine. Drove the car back, all faultlessly.
The car attracted a great deal of interest from my friends and others, with a 'what's that Volvo?' generally being asked. The car currently is off the road, having failed its last MoT. I am however gaining different parts to put the car back on the road, hopefully within the next month or so. As you can perhaps see from my record, I very rarely part with cars, and aim to keep the 440 indefinitely, restoring it back to 'as new' condition being the plan.
I've also managed to purchase some fairly rare and interesting parts, both over the forum and through other sources. Sadly, I've not been able to upload the pics I have of the car, but hopefully the few I have will upload successfully, with more to be added in the future.

Anyways, I thought it was about time I introduce myself and my 440, and hope to help popularise the otherwise rather quiet 400 series section!

Thanks,

Joe

[glasgowjim]

its queit as most of the 480 guys are on the 480 forum rofl

[Anadinolin]

Not very many 440 or 460 guys here either....lol

[dcw]

Yep - it's quiet on here as they've said - so welcome!

David

[doingitsideways]

Welcome to the graveyard, lol.

I too suffer from the 400 series affliction.
Also the 900 series, 800, X70... Well, see my sig.

[Bub2006]

Hi and welcome. I'm new here too. I'm 28 and grew up with touring caravans and dad had a lot of 240,740,940 volvos and my grandad bought a g plate 340 dl variomatoc when it was a few month old till he passed away. I bought my first Volvo the other week after being in a near fatal crash and needed an auto. Mine is a j plate 440 auto gle injection with75k on clock. I paid 150 for it with a week's mot. It passed mot with minimal work which was a bonus

[Chrome Valley]

Hello to everyone, I purchased a 1992 volvo 44Li last Sunday,. I had no intention to buy a car, just visit a friend! The car was outside his house with for sale/phone number in window, I was strangely drawn to this vehicle having grown up owning, cortinas, escorts, capri, opal and yes a cavalier. The nice old guy in late 70s had owned the car for passed 15yrs, never cleaned it inside or out but mechanical work always done by garage, yes the car looked ready for scrap but drove really welll, abit heavy on the steering due to tyres in need of change at front, everything seemed to work, including heated seats! £170 purchased!
Within a week i have replaced both front tyres, replaced brake light switch, couple of bulbs, giving it a deep clean inside and out and she drives and looks like a different car. 73000 genuine miles, still got the " Speeds of Mansfield" floor mats in front, original jack still in boot. 7 weeks mot left, i am hoping to get this through.. Anyone got a set of hatch support struts, im using the piece of wood method at mo. Will let you know if mot pass or not.

Chrome Valley

[Andyiow]

As an owner of a 440 1.9td for the last 6 years I can honestly say most of the time its a joy to drive. My father owned it for 8 years before that.

However it now being 22 years old things are starting to go wrong but I am intending to keep it on the road for as long as possible. Its just coming up to 100000 miles and still gives me nearly 50mpg.